The Springfield YMCA Typhoons Swim Team (SPY) in Springfield, Illinois now allows biological men who pretend to be women to enter the girls’ locker room—including when minor girls are present and undressing. The coaches and YMCA administrators began this practice without telling any girls or their parents.
Here is an excerpt from a summary provided by the father of one of the girl swimmers at the center of what should be a shocking event:
On April 27, 2023, my sixteen-year-old daughter, a member of the YMCA SPY Swim Team, entered the girl’s locker to change out of her swimsuit and noticed a couple transgender individuals sitting in the locker room. My daughter went back out on the pool deck and informed the head swim coach, Alex Totura, of the situation and he responded to her by stating, “There’s nothing I can do about it.”
On May 10, 2023, the SPY Swim Team held their monthly parent meeting where the issue of girls’ locker room use by biological males was brought up. The meeting was attended by Angie Sowle, Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA. The parents were told there’s nothing that can be done about it.
Parents asked if the YMCA could ask the transgender members to use the Family Changing Area (private bathrooms with toilet, sink shower and changing area) instead of the girl’s locker room. The YMCA staff said they could not do that because it is discrimination and against the law.
Parents asked if the YMCA could send out a notification to swim team members that transgender people were using the girl’s locker room so that member could make informed decisions for their family. Again, the YMCA staff said that they could not do that because it is discrimination and against the law.